04 April 2025 | The Gurkha Centre | Hayes | By Hari Bhandari
Background
Mr. Gopal Gurung (Army Number 21154328), an 80-year-old veteran from the Queen’s Gurkha Engineers, and his wife Nanda Kumari Gurung moved from Nepal to the UK in February 2012. Due to UK immigration policies restricting Gurkha veterans discharged before 1997, they could not bring their children with them. Their three adult children currently reside in Macau, Australia, and Nepal. In 2018, an attempt to reunite with their son from Nepal was unsuccessful. The couple regularly travelled to Nepal previously, but declining health and mobility have made this increasingly difficult.
Initially, the Gurungs managed independently in their privately rented accommodation within a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). However, their health and mobility significantly declined, and after losing their primary neighbourly support, they sought assistance from The Gurkha Centre.
Initial Support and Interventions
The Gurkha Centre provided practical assistance, including support with eVisa applications and communication, addressing Mr. Gurung’s severe hearing impairment and limited mobility. The Centre’s staff and volunteers further supported the couple with everyday tasks such as attending medical appointments, grocery shopping, reading letters, and navigating healthcare services.
In February 2025, Mr. Gurung experienced an episode of confusion, resulting in his disoriented wandering. Hillingdon Police located him and referred him to Hillingdon Hospital, where he was diagnosed with anaemia and delirium. During Mr. Gurung’s discharge, Mrs. Gurung suffered a stroke at home, was discovered collapsed, and urgently admitted to Northwick Park Hospital. Given Mr. Gurung’s vulnerability and inability to live alone, he accompanied his wife.
Housing and Practical Challenges
Mr. and Mrs. Gurung had been privately renting a one-bedroom property within an HMO. With both requiring long-term residential care, they cannot return home. Practical support required includes:
- Packing belongings and ending their tenancy.
- Liaising with the landlord regarding rent arrears.
- Closing their Housing Benefit claim.
- Arranging financial appointeeship due to their inability to manage finances independently.
If their son were present in the UK, much of this practical and emotional burden could be shared. His absence has placed additional stress on both the couple and their support network.
Initial Response and Intervention
Following a call from Mr. Gurung’s social worker regarding his urgent need for clothes, a visit was made to him at the care home. Initially, Mr. Gurung appeared agitated and confused, frustrated about his placement without consent, and concerned about his money and belongings.
Taking a therapeutic, person-centred approach provided immediate reassurance. Due to a collaborative work between the care home and The Gurkha Centre, Mr. Gurung was assisted in retrieving clothes from his home; and a hospital visit was facilitated to see his wife which significantly improved his emotional state, reinforcing the importance of emotional reassurance and therapeutic presence.
Systemic Coordination and Community Involvement
Behind the scenes, proactive steps were taken to:
- Coordinate medical and care support for Mrs. Gurung.
- Engage health and social care professionals.
- Advocate for the couple’s son to join them in the UK.
- Navigate housing, welfare, and finance-related matters.
Community members were encouraged to visit the couple, but multiple independent contacts led to confusion. To address this, a structured systemic communication plan was established, designating a single contact point to streamline support.
Financial and Immigration Barriers
Financial constraints remain a significant barrier to the family’s reunification efforts. Unable to afford visa application fees, it is considered that a fundraising campaign would be helpful to cover these costs, aiming to reunite the family and significantly enhance their quality of life and well-being.
Advocacy and Family Reunification Efforts
Recognising the emotional and practical importance of family reunification, The Gurkha Centre intensified efforts to facilitate the immigration of the Gurungs’ son. Mrs. Gurung had been the primary communicator with their son due to Mr. Gurung’s severe hearing impairment. Preparations for a new visa application were underway, assisted by a local solicitor, but were disrupted by their health crises.
Systemic Coordination and Volunteer Engagement
Community outreach successfully engaged volunteers, enabling regular visits and providing emotional and practical support for the Gurungs. A clear, centralized communication system has significantly improved support coordination and reduced confusion among service providers.
Conclusion
This case study underscores the necessity of holistic, culturally sensitive, and coordinated support for older, vulnerable adults. It highlights the transformative power of compassionate care, effective systemic coordination, and proactive family reunification. The Gurkha Centre remains dedicated to meeting the complex needs of Gurkha veterans and their families through empathy, advocacy, and sustained practical support.
